Deer camera catches Surry County thief in act

Similar to many crime victims, Ricky Inman was frustrated — not only because his property was taken during multiple break-ins, but by the massive damage left behind as well.

“They destroyed everything I had,” Inman said of his three unoccupied mobile homes off Cook School Road which were hit twice in April — including walls and ceilings being torn out and robbed of items such as copper. He estimates his loss, including the damage and stolen property, at more than $20,000, which was not covered by insurance.

Inman, 48, now of Lowgap, wanted to fight back against those who were responsible for the trashing of the place where he grew up — which would involve planting a deer camera at the site. “I just stuck it in the honeysuckle vines,” he said.

The device subsequently recorded evidence during the second break-in which was used in court earlier this month to send one of three young people caught on camera there to prison.

“It was there one hour,” Inman said of the time elapsing between the placing of the camera and the return to the scene of the crime by the youths, two of whom are still awaiting trail.

The victim said he at least has gained a degree of satisfaction knowing that his effort thus far has resulted in the incarceration of one of the perpetrators.

“I feel great,” Inman said of the active sentence of eight to 19 months which Alexander Scott Gullatt, 21, received during the Nov. 15 session of Surry Superior Court. “He can’t take people’s stuff there (behind bars),” he added of Gullatt, who has been listed with addresses in both Pilot Mountain and King, but now calls a prison cell home.

“That was the main thing,” the property owner added of seeing the active sentence imposed. “That way he can’t do it no more.”

Inman said the photographic evidence from the camera which was presented in court — including clearly showing Gullatt walking away with stolen property — was the difference between the perpetrator receiving a relative slap on the wrist and landing behind bars.

“You would not believe how much of a difference,” Inman said of the impression made on the court. “He was going to walk out on probation.”

Gullatt pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts of breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods, along with larceny after breaking and entering. They relate to the break-ins occurring on back-to-back days in late April.

The two others charged, Alexandria Marie Lynch and Kelsee Elizabeth Lynch, both 23, relationship unknown, are scheduled to appear in court on similar offenses on Dec. 12.